Health Insurance Coverage Expanded for Rare and Neglected Cancer Drugs — From October 1
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
From October 1, health insurance covers Retevmo capsules, Vyloy, and the first-line Padcev plus Keytruda combination for urothelial cancer.
Key facts
| Coverage starts | October 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Covered drugs | Retevmo capsules (rare lung cancer), Vyloy (advanced or metastatic gastric cancer) |
| Combination therapy | First-line Padcev + Keytruda for urothelial cancer |
| Change | Coverage that applied from second-line treatment is now available from the first treatment stage for urothelial cancer |
Last checked:
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) said that from October 1, health insurance applies to Retevmo capsules (a drug for lung cancer with a rare genetic mutation), Vyloy injection (for unresectable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer), and the combination of Padcev and Keytruda injections as first-line treatment for urothelial cancer. For urothelial cancer, health insurance previously covered Keytruda only from second-line treatment after first-line treatment failed; with this measure, patients can receive the combination therapy from the first treatment stage. The government also plans to pursue institutional improvements to expand health insurance coverage for combination therapies between new drugs.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
When does health insurance coverage start?
It applies from October 1, 2026.
What changes for urothelial cancer treatment?
Previously health insurance covered Keytruda from second-line treatment after first-line failure; now patients can receive the combination therapy with Padcev from the first treatment stage.